Ball chain drive with ball ejection means



June 8,1965 F. J. 505m 3,187,596

BALL CHAIN DRIVE WITH BALL EJECTION MEANS Filed Aug. 2. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Upper Plane Surface 4 lNVENT OR. FI 40 Frank J.D0err BY as 8 9| arr 045M; 5min, $54? fifrzv' v- ATTORNEYS June 8, 1965 F. J. DOERR BALL CHAIN DRIVE WITH BALL EJECTION MEANS Filed Aug. 2, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Frank J.Doerr ATTORNEYS June 8, 1965 F. J. DOERR 3,187,596

' BALL CHAIN'DRIVE WITH BALL EJEC'IION MEANS Filed Aug- 2, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 r IIIIII 1 111. :2 01w, FIG 8 P 4 36 INVENTOR.

. Frank J. Doerr flJfIPOLE/YA, 51551 6545 J'aFFE/V ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,187,596 BALL CHAIN- DRIVE WII H BALL- EJECTIDN MEANS Frank J. Doerr, 51-78 Maniila St., Elmhurst, N.Y. Filer Aug. 2, 1961, Ser. No. 128,703 2 Claims. (Cl. 74229) This invention relates to continuous chain drive mechanisms and more particularly to a mechanism adapted to move figures, vehicles, trains, etc., either as a toy per se or in conjunction with various toy railroad layouts.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple, rugged, and economical device for effecting movement of various objects in a continuous path.

It is another object of the invention to provide a mechanism that will be safe and efiicient in operation and one which is not subject to jamming of the moving components.

It is a still further object of the device to produce a mechanism wherein the major component comprises a relatively low-cost commercially obtainable material, such as interlinked ball chain, as is commonly used in connection with lamp sockets, and the like.

Briefly, my invention comprises the combination of a motive drive and a sprocket wheel having cavities suitably shaped to accommodate individual balls of an interlinked ball chain for pulling such chain in continuous movement around a circuit. Thus, an endless chain is contemplated which can travel through a tube bent in any desired configuration. The tube is slit so that various tongues or fingers can be fastened to the chain and extend therefrom outwardly of the tube through the slit,

being guided by the slit edges so as to move in any plane 7 depending upon the convolution of the slit in the tube. Thus, the slit may be linear or it may twist, curve or spiral around the tubing and the finger will follow accordingly, owing to the fact that each of the balls is independently rotative, being linked to adjoining balls by short pins, in a well known manner. .The invention also contemplates the use of pivoted ejectors located adjacent the sprocket wheel to ensure each ball leaving its respective cavity without beingcaught or jammed therein.

One form of the invention utilizes a sprocket wheel made particularly to engage the balls of the pitch circle for maximum efficiency and also having means to lubricate the chain and remove dirt from the conveying system.

A detailed description of the invention will now be given in connection with the appended drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a perspective of the drive means for the ball chain;

FIGURE la shows an enlarged detail of a portion FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 2 shows one form of sprocket wheel therefore;

FIGURE 3 shows an overall plan for a circuitous route to be followed by the ball chain;

FIGURE 4 is a detail to an enlarged scale showing how the plane of the moving finger, or tongue, carried by the ball chain can be chained;

FIGURE 4a shows a detail of the fastening of the finger to a ball of the ball chain.

FIGURE 5 is a partial section in plan through a modified form of sprocket wheel; and

FIGURE 5a is an elevation partially in section of FIGURE 5. 7

FIGURE 6 is a view in perspective showing a portion of the guide tube cut away to permit stringing and fastening of the endless chain.

FIGURE 7 is a cross-section view taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 6 showing the cover plate in place at the cut away portion of the tube.

. rials andsizes.

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FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a plurality of tubes cooperating with one sidewalk.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, sprocket wheel 10 is disclosed carried in a block 14, the sprocket wheel having an extending stub shaft 17. The block 14 may be bored at 15 so that the wheel may be ball-bearing supported to rotate freely therein, as shown. Interconnecting cavities 20 in the outer surface or rim of the sprocket wheel are medially aligned with a longitudinal slot 24 in the block. A ball chain 27 of conventional interlink type passes through a bore 30 in the block which communicates with the peripheral slot or groove 31 elfected by the cavities 20 so that individual balls may be driving'ly disposed in respective cavities. Thus, the continuous ball chain formation retains the sprocket wheel within the block without any need for special trunnions, and p it will be understood that the sprocket wheel periphery or rim surface has a smooth rotative fit within the block bore 15, and the face 33 of the wheel may be flush with the face of 'the block, as shown. Such construction is exceedingly economical, as will be readily understood. The stub shaft 17 may be coupled in any suitable manner to a motive drive (not shown) such as pulleys, worm wheels, or the like.

The ball chain 27 is carried in tubing 36 which may form a circuitous path, as shown in FIGURE 3, terminating in each end of bore 30 of block 14 and fastened in any suitable manner, as by force fit or the like, depending upon the nature of the materials of the block and the tubing. For example, if these components are of plastic, the tubing may extend for a short distance within counterbores 37 of the passage 30, being cemented in a tongue 43, fastened to the chain as described below,

will move with the chain, being guided by the sides of the slits 24 and 40. Thus, the tongue 43 may carry a toy figure (not shown) which, to all outward appearances, is moving along the path determined by slit 40. The mode of attachment of a tongue such as 43 to any ball such as 27 is a matter of choice, depending on the mate- For example, the tongue would be soldered to a ball, if the materials are metal, or the tongue could be molded integrally as part of a ball, if the balls are of plastic. Further, a round pin instead of a Hat tongue could be used, in which case it could be secured lay threading into aball. In FIGURE 4a I have shown the preferred method of securement of the finger to"the ball. Extension 80 of finger tongue 43 is placed in opening 31 of the ball and soldered at 83, 83.

In order to ensure ejection of the balls from respective cavities, an ejector finger is utilized which is stationarily secured at bolt 58 within the block and is then enough to ride within the peripheral channel 31 to engage the balls radially inward of the gear pitch diameter. The finger 55, as shown in FIGURE 1a, has an extension 63 so that the finger is maintained in position just below i the bottom of the balls as they leave the sprocket wheel. In the case of a double sprocket wheel as in FIGURE 5,

two fingers are used, one for each sprocket wheel and the same bolt 58 holds them firmly in place.

Attention is called to FIGURE 4 showing a tubing of soft copper or plastic having a non-linear slot 73 cut therein which can guide fingers, such as 7 6, in curvilinear rial is used for the tubing. A more rigid tubing material would, of course, take a permanent set and can be twisted with tools such asstrap wrenches, etc. Preferably a filler strip of bendable material would first be inserted through the slit in the tubing for the length of the slit to ensure maintaining the slit gap, such strip being removed afer twisting to a permanent set. Thus, a predetermined curvilinear path for any desired purpose could be effected.

FIGURES 5 and 5a show views of a sprocket wheel of modified form contemplated for double chain arrangement. 'In this case, parallel arcuate rows of cavities, such as 90, are provided which are spherical at their inner portions and flare outwardly, terminating at the outer periphery of the sprocket wheel. Note also that the balls enter the cavities for substantially the full extent of the ball diameter (as also shown in FIG. 1a).

1 The shape of the cavities is for the purpose of efiecting driving force by means of teeth 96 on balls 190 at the pitch circle of theballs so as to provide maximum gear meshing efiiciency by minimizing friction. Arcuately spaced around the face of the sprocket wheel are a series of bores 103 drilled in at an angle of 15, approximately, and adjoining the cavities by means of respective bores 106 and 109. Bores 103 may be providedevery 30 around the periphery of the face of the sprocket wheel. The purpose of such bores is to provide for lubrication and also removal of dirt and foreign particles which may collect.

In FIGURES 6 and 7 I have shown the method and means by which an endless chain may be inserted in the system and connected. Tube 36 is cut away at segment 110 so that the chain may be inserted and partially pulled out. Links 111 move in and out of balls 27, the links 111 having heads112 at each end. A ball 27a at one end of the chain is spread open and a link at the other end is inserted. The ball 27a is then squeezed closed. Cover plate 113 is then placed in opening 110 to complete the tube 36 with one end of cover 113 beneath part of the clamp member 114 secured to tube 36; the clamp member 114, soldered to the cover plate 113, is then secured to the support by screw 115 or other appropriate means. Note that clamps 114 overlap both joints at the ends of cover 113. If it then becomes desirable to replace or repair the chain, cover plate 113 may readily be removed and the operation repeated.

In FIGURE 8 I have shown a plurality of tubes 36 operating together in conjunction wtih a single sidewalk 126. A The sidewalk 120 isthe upper surface of a housing 121 for supporting, in this instance four tubes and their related chains. The tongues or fingers 43 from each chain and tube extend upwardly and are of appropriate length to pass through slot 122 in the sidewalk.

Tongues 43 on the various chains are spaced so that they will not meet. By this means, a plurality of figures from a plurality of paths, such as paths leading to separate houses may all meet along a common path as they move and enter a church.

The narrow slot through which the tongues 43 pass in the upper surface of the toy railroad layout, permits the paths of figures, vehicles or other elements moved by tongues 43 actually to cross the railroad tracks; the slot is narrow enough so that the toy railroad wheels may pass over the slight gap in the tracks. The edge of the track at the gap must be insulated so that accidental touching of the pin or tongue will not short or ground the circuit.

Having thus described my invention I am aware it is capable of use for purposes other than toys and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit thereof and, therefore, do not seek to be limited to the precise illustrations herein given, except as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a sprocket wheel, a ball chain having interconnecting links between the balls of said ball chain engaged by said sprocket wheel, said sprocket wheel having cavities for accommodating the respective balls whereby rotation of said wheel efiects movement of said chain, an ejector finger disposed adjacent said sprocket wheel, said ejector finger having a forward edge juxtaposed to be engaged by any ball below a certain radial depth in its respective cavity in said sprocket wheel whereby said ball is ejected from said cavity by said finger, and wherein said finger has a sloping surface to effect a wedging action to force said ball out of the respective cavity.

2. In a device as set forth in claim 1 a guide means disposed adjacent to said sprocket wheel and constructed to direct said balls into the cavities of said sprocket wheel.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 564,760 7/96 Perry 74-243 1,323,968 12/19 Dieterich 46-122 X 2,825,231 3/58 Wasko '74243 FOREIGN PATENTS 16,221 1895 Great .Britain. 24,361 1899 Great Britain. 513,615 11/20 France.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

LEONARD W. VARNER, IR., DELBERT B. LOWE,

Examiners. 

1. IN A DEVICE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, SPROCKET WHEEL, A BALL CHAIN HAVING INTERCONNECTING LINKS BETWEEN THE BALLS OF SAID BALL CHAIN ENGGED BY SAID SPROCKET WHEEL, SAID SPROCKET WHEEL HAVING CAVITIES FOR ACCOMMODATING THE RESPECTIVE BALLS WHEREBY ROTATION OF SAID WHEEL EFFECTS MOVEMENT OF SAID CHAIN, AN EJECTOR FINGER DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID SPROCKET WHEEL, SAID EJECTOR FINGER HAVING A FORWARD EDGE JUXTAPOSED TO BE ENGAGED BY AND BALL BELOW A CERTAIN RADIAL DEPTH IN ITS RESPECTIVE CAVITY IN SAID SPROCKET WHEEL WHEREBY SAID BALL IS EJECTED FROM SAID CAVITY BY SAID FINGER, AND WHEREIN SAID FINGER HAS A SLOPING SURFACE TO EFFECT A WEDGING ACTION TO FORCE SAID BALL OUT OF THE RESPECTIVE CAVITY. 